Win (Windsor Horne Lockwood III Book 1) Kindle Edition

For me, this is a tricky one to review. Pros and Cons: the pros were enough to keep me reading and I finished it in a day and a half. So that's not nothing. The pacing was excellent - I am an impatient reader and this was a no-fluff who dunnit that read like an episode of Law & Order SVU. Some things aren't quite plausible but that kinda goes with the territory: when you read or watch a mystery or a thriller, don't you find yourself questioning things or saying, that's not really believable? That would never happen. I do, and I said it during this book a couple times, but it isn't bad enough that I wouldn't recommend this for a long flight: It's not going to knock your socks off but it is very entertaining.For me, The Cons:I didn't know going in that this builds on a previously established set of characters so I kept thinking, who is this Myron guy that Win keeps talking about, bringing him up over and over without ever being in the story! I'm thinking it's his split personality or something! Every time he's mentioned it just made it obvious that this guy is his other murdering personality -- until another character mentions Myron and that ruined that theory. Second, what is up with him answering his phone "articulate"?? Not once, but no less than ten times in the book. Dumb. The author did not need to describe him answering his phone so many times, and with that dumb greeting. Ok, and the brand-dropping got old. I realize it goes to establish that the character is rich and vain, and loves name brands, but I do not care about name brands, and it was overkill, and wasted on me- I don't know or care what brands he wore and it came off as smug and vane. Again, establishes the character, I realize. Thankfully it died down so we didn;t have to hear about the brand of shoes he was wearing or the brand of pen he was writing with, the make of car, brand and color of shirt, etc past about the half-way point. Whew. This character was not very likeable. You don't have to love every character but this guy's ego was something else! One reviewer said that Win would make the perfect date. Huh? As long as you rated at least a 7 on his rich-guy dating app. He wasn't my favorite but I'm not saying I wouldn't revisit the series or try something else written by Coban.

This is my first Harlan Coben novel. I have watched a few of his book series on Netflix and was intrigued, so I decided to give it a try. I wasn’t disappointed at all. I liked the author’s flow and writing style. I felt that it moved the book along at a good pace and kept my interest throughout.The main character’s foibles, weaknesses and personality came through clearly. At times Win could even be unlikable, but I think that’s okay, as it makes him human with flaws, imperfections and past trauma that shaped the way he is.For me, the ending didn’t really have a “wow” factor, but it was acceptable enough. I liked Win’s voice and hearing his thoughts throughout the novel, as this helped to make him a fully realized character. There were also elements of character development on Win’s part, as the book progressed.I was thoroughly entertained, and would definitely be willing to try another Harlan Coben novel….hopefully another one in this same Win series whenever it comes out, or one of the Myron Bolitar ones.As an aside; another reason why I wanted to try one of Harlan Coben’s books, was that Stephen King mentioned him in one of his novels. From the master storyteller (King) mentions your name in one of his works of fiction, then you know that he regards you as one of the best.

"Win" is Harlan Coben's first attempt at giving Myron Bolitar's buddy and guardian angel, Windsor Horne Lockwood III, his own book and perhaps his own series. Two cases have vexed the FBI for decades-an act of domestic terrorism in the 70's by a group known as the Jane Street Six and a kidnapping of his cousin, Patricia Lockwood, along with the theft of two irreplaceable expensive paintings over 2 decades ago. Win must employ his almost limitless resources with his laser-like instincts to tie these two events together when an elderly recluse is found dead in an Upper West Side penthouse.Those of us who read voraciously have our favorite authors and characters who we religiously follow for differing reasons. For me, over the years I have thoroughly enjoyed the Myron Bolitar series for just plain old fun. I truly enjoy the dynamics between Myron and his best friend and protector, Windor Lockwood (Win) who is fantastically wealthy, and who has a definite sense of personal justice that many of us can cheer. Win may not be relatable to some but his sense of loyalty to his friends and his use of violence to right wrongs gives him an A+ on the like ability scale."Win" is written in first person through Win's eyes which may make him hard to endure for some readers but for me, the surprise was discovering that Win is a much better character as a number 2 to Myron than as a number 1 protagonist tasked with carrying an entire story. Funny how his input, jokes, and violence are often spot on in the Bolitar books but are somewhat lacking in his first stand-alone novel; furthermore, that may be due to an overdose of his super-rich philosophy without a counterbalancing Myron Bolitar.I respect Coban's writing in many of its manifestations and I will continue to read anything with the fascinating characters of Win and Myron. Even a few shortcomings of Win's first novel won't dissuade my interest in his character. But while this particular plot line fills in a lot of Win's back story, it doesn't use his unique character quirks to the fullest. True fans of the Bolitar series should find "Win" to be an interesting read.

Read in 1 day. A little corny at times but mostly solid mystery. I like the so called hero. The violence is thick but realistic, the characters odd enough and left me wanting another story.

Tough to like this book.Yes, it's got a zippy storyline interspersed with violence and "clever" twists, but the central protagonist feels like a fantasy (and intensely dislikeable) character playing in a fantasy (and intensely dislikeable) world.He reminded me a little of a cleaned up and smug version of Patrick Bateman in American Pyscho, name dropping luxury brands every two seconds whilst dispensing "his own brand of justice"... and the world he purports to live in with dating apps for the super-rich, martial arts training from the best in the world, helicopters waiting to whisk him anywhere he wants.... eeesh. It all just all feels paper-thin and something that an over-excited teenage boy might write if asked to describe his wish list of cool stuff.Plus, unfortunately, it then makes for lazy plot writing as ultimately when the lead character's money can get him access to anything and information from anywhere, he's super intelligent and his physical skills make him (largely) immortal, then it means you can bridge awkward plot holes with ease. Nor is there ever a scintilla of doubt that Win will win in the end...Strange one really. Coben has written books with much more grounded and nuanced characters which feed into much stronger stories, but not this one

Don't let this be the first Harlan Coben book you read. This is a successor to the many previous novels featuring Win, Myron Bolitar and a variety of others. By all means queue it up, but read at least some of the others first.Back already? Ok.So this is Win, a terribly wealthy chap who you would never, trust me on this, never want to get on the wrong side of. And while this novel has much of Harlan Coben's stock in trade of twists and turns and the occasional betrayal of everything the reader has been led to believe, it's also a huge insight into the delight (if that's the word) that is Windsor Horne Lockwood III and his family.The plot? Ok, but I'm not going to tell you much. I don't want to risk spoilers.So the FBI pick up Win to ask about a murdered man they've found; a man nobody knows but has in his flat...No, can't tell you that.But from this apparently simple start, a complex and occasionally shocking sorry grows. It's hard to put down. And I loved it. One or two tiny niggles but forgivable. I hope there are more to come.

It is great to see Harlan Coben return to his original crime-solving formula, with the resurrection of some familiar names. This time, he ditched Myron Bolitar – popular sports agent and amateur detective – in favour of Windsor Horne Lockwood III, Bolitar’s go-to man when he needed some strong-arm tactics.Was it a good move? Yes and no.Yes – because there was something about Win that was fascinating and exciting in those early books. When the ultra-wealthy, super-fit and immaculately-stylish Win was called into play by Bolitar you knew that results were on the way.No – because Win has serious psychopathic tendencies. That’s OK for a bit-player, but for the main man it felt quite uncomfortable at times. In order to temper the violent psychopath, we were introduced to a slightly softer side of this anti-hero (albeit mixed with the old extreme brutality). Coben tried to make you like Win and understand him – but he is just too much for a whole story.I read this with a mixture of interest and distaste. Not sure where Coben will go next with this theme.

I really enjoyed the Myron Bolitar series with Win appearing as his influential right-hand man, so looked forward to the standalone story about Win. This story starts with the discovery of a previously stolen painting belonging to Win’s family amongst the possessions of a murdered recluse. The plot covers the past as Coben often does linking in the murder of his Uncle and kidnapping of his niece many years ago at a time that several teenagers achieved notoriety in mass killing incident in New York. Harken shows us all of the character we know of Win in the Bolitar series, his insatiable appetite for women, and his own brand of justice, his dark sense of humour and his outright selfishness. I enjoyed the book, but advise readers to catch up on the Bolitar series first, as otherwise as a stand-alone read, Win may appear very belligerent.

It took me a long time to get into this novel. I nearly gave up about a third of the way through and it was only because I have enjoyed the previous books about Win that I continued. I found the second half easier reading than the first, as the plot developed. Although Myron Bolitar is mentioned as a friend, he is what is missing from this story, there is none of the interaction between the two friends which is what has made the previous stories 'real', dark but real. Unfortunately Win is rather like a cartoon/cardboard cutout character in this one, with violence as his predominent characteristic. Without the previous humour of MB, this makes the violence less realistic, therefore less dark, more fantasy.